The Difference Between Fact and Feeling
In which a guy who writes poems thanks a lawyer for a valuable reminder
I should not have been surprised to hear Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg talk about facts yesterday. But I was.
It’s been so long since I’ve heard someone in a position of authority talk about facts over feelings—and, specifically, facts over grievance—that I almost missed the moment.
The public discourse has been dominated by feelings of grievance for so long that I’d almost forgotten the values of methodical procedure, professional expertise, and informed decision-making.
Which is not to say that feelings have no place in public policy. And some grievances are justified.
As it happens, they’re justified by…facts.
Feelings alone make terrible public policy.
Feelings combined with methodical procedure and professional expertise—feelings and facts together—are the very root of informed decision-making.
They’re the root of argument. They’re how you build and make a case for yourself, legal or otherwise.
And so, today, I’m in an ironic position.
I’m a guy who writes poems, who broods on a daily basis, begging America to toughen up and remember that there is an important difference between fact and feeling. And that case-building is a core humanistic (human) skill.
And I’m thanking a District Attorney (!!!) for reminding me.
